Biguanide composition and method of treatment and prevention of viral infections

Abstract

An ophthalmically acceptable composition comprising to the ocular region of a patient, the ophthalmically acceptable composition comprising water, a biguanide containing antimicrobial in an amount effective to treat viral infection. The invention further comprises administering the ophthalmically acceptable composition to the eye of a patient in need of treatment.

1 . A method of treating a viral infection comprising administering an ophthalmically acceptable composition to the ocular region of a patient, the ophthalmically acceptable composition comprising an ophthalmically acceptable carrier and a biguanide containing antimicrobial agent.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a penetration enhancer.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the penetration enhancer is present in an amount that is a minimum of about 0.001 wt. % and a maximum of about 5 wt. %.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmically acceptable carrier is water.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a stabilizer in an amount effective to extend the shelf-life of the stabilizer a minimum of about 10% of the shelf-life of a similar composition without the stabilizer.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a viscosifier.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the viscosifiers are selected from the group consisting of natural polysaccharides, natural gums, modified natural polymers, synthetic polymers, proteins and synthetic polypeptides that are capable of increasing viscosity and are ophthalmically acceptable.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the viscosifiers are selected from the group consisting of mucomimetics.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the viscosifier is a carboxyvinyl polymer.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biguanide antimicrobial agent is present in an amount ranging from 1 ppm to about 1.0 wt. % based upon the total amount the composition.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infectious disease is herpes.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infectious disease is HSV-1 type herpes.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infectious disease is HSV-2 type herpes.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizer.  
     
     
         15 . A composition for treating infectious disease comprising water, and a biguanide containing antimicrobial agent in an amount effective to treat a viral infection.  
     
     
         16 . A method of topically treating a viral infection comprising: 
 administering to a patient diagnosed with a topical viral infection, a composition comprising a topically acceptable carrier and an antiviral effective amount of Alexidine.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition further comprises a penetration enhancer.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the penetration enhancer is present in an amount that is a minimum of about 0.001 wt. % and a maximum of about 5 wt. %.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the topically acceptable carrier is an oil, wax, grease or petrolatum containing carrier.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a stabilizer is in an amount effective to extend the shelf life a minimum of about 10% of the shelf-life without the stabilizer.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition further comprises a viscosifier.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the viscosifier is selected from the group consisting of natural polysaccharides, natural gums, modified natural polymers, synthetic polymers, proteins and synthetic polypeptides that are capable of increasing viscosity and are ophthalmically acceptable.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the viscosifier is selected from the group consisting of mucomimetics.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the viscosifier is a carboxyvinyl polymer.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the Alexidine is present in an amount ranging from 1 ppm to about 1.0 wt. % based upon the total amount the composition.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the infectious disease is herpes.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the infectious disease is HSV-1 type herpes.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the infectious disease is HSV-2 type herpes.